Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty: Ancient Wisdom for a Modern Life

What happens when you trade in your fast-paced life for the quiet discipline of a monastery? For Jay Shetty, it meant finding clarity, purpose, and inner peace—and Think Like a Monk is his way of sharing those lessons with the rest of us.

In this post, we’ll explore the core ideas of Think Like a Monk, why so many readers have connected with it, who it’s perfect for (and who it might not click with), and how you can apply its teachings to your own life—without having to shave your head or live in an ashram.

What Is Think Like a Monk About?

Jay Shetty was a successful business student in London when he began questioning the path laid out for him. After hearing a monk speak, he took a radically different route—spending three years living as a monk in India. When he returned to the modern world, he brought with him a mix of spiritual insight and practical tools.

Think Like a Monk draws on ancient Hindu philosophy, psychology, and Jay’s own experiences to help readers:

• Train the mind to overcome negativity
• Detach from ego and comparison
• Find purpose through service and reflection
• Create routines that foster peace, gratitude, and joy

The book is structured around three themes:

1. Let Go – Freeing yourself from fear, ego, and external expectations
2. Grow – Cultivating discipline, gratitude, and mindfulness
3. Give – Serving others and finding fulfillment

It’s part self-help, part spiritual guidance, and part memoir.

Who Loves This Book?

Think Like a Monk has been especially popular with readers who want a blend of mindfulness and practicality. It’s not preachy or overly “woo”—Jay Shetty presents ancient ideas in a relatable, modern way.

You’ll likely enjoy the book if you:

• Feel pulled in too many directions and crave more clarity
• Struggle with comparison, stress, or a noisy inner critic
• Want to develop habits of calm, focus, and compassion
• Enjoy journaling, meditation, or reading books like The Power of Now or The Miracle Morning

The writing is clear and structured, and Jay uses real-life examples, modern references, and science to support the teachings.

You could also pair it nicely with books like Essentialism by Greg McKeown: Do Less, But Better or Deep Work by Cal Newport for readers wanting to build more intentional lives.

Who Might Not Connect With It?

If you prefer a more data-driven or analytical approach to personal development, this book might feel too spiritual or philosophical. Jay does reference ancient scripture and teachings from monks, which may not appeal to everyone.

Also, while the book offers great insights, it isn’t full of step-by-step systems or hard productivity hacks. It’s more about how to be than how to do.

That said, many readers appreciate the blend of ancient wisdom and modern language. You don’t need a spiritual background to benefit from it.

Core Lessons You Can Apply Right Now

Here are some of the most helpful ideas from Think Like a Monk that you can try today:

1. Declutter the Mind

Jay recommends removing mental noise just like you’d clean a messy room. That includes:

• Reducing screen time
• Letting go of toxic comparison
• Journaling regularly

2. Create a Morning Routine

Monks start their days with silence, gratitude, and service. Jay recommends something similar for everyone:

• Begin with stillness or meditation
• Reflect on what you’re thankful for
• Set a daily intention

Pair this with The Miracle Morning for a great morning routine.

3. Reframe Negative Thoughts

Instead of pushing away negative emotions, Jay teaches how to observe them, question them, and gently shift them. Techniques like breathwork and mantras are introduced for everyday use.

4. Live with Purpose

Jay encourages readers to align their work and daily life with values like compassion, growth, and service. One exercise he includes is the Dharma Model—your purpose sits at the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

You can support this idea with books like Ikigai by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles.

Personal Thoughts

When I read Think Like a Monk, I found myself highlighting entire pages. There’s something deeply calming about the way Jay writes—it feels like having a wise but modern mentor talk you through the noise of life.

One of my favorite chapters is about identity—how we often mistake our job title or social media profile for who we really are. Jay encourages us to build an identity based on values, not validation. That really stuck with me.

I also appreciated the practical exercises at the end of each chapter. They’re short and accessible—perfect for readers who want to try things out immediately.

How to Start Thinking Like a Monk Today

Here’s a simple practice from the book you can try right now:

• Gratitude Check-In: Each night, write down three things you’re grateful for—one from your mind (what you learned), one from your body (how you cared for it), and one from your heart (a relationship or moment of connection).

It’s a small habit, but consistently doing it can shift how you see the world.

Final Thoughts

Think Like a Monk is more than just a catchy title. It’s a roadmap for living with more clarity, less fear, and greater meaning. Jay Shetty’s ability to translate deep spiritual principles into everyday language makes this a book that’s easy to read—and surprisingly transformative.

Whether you adopt the full approach or just take a few practices from it, this book has the potential to change how you show up in your own life.

If you’re ready to slow down, reflect more deeply, and build a stronger inner foundation, then this is the perfect place to begin.

Ready to read it?
Get your copy of Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty here and start your journey toward a calmer, more focused life.

Let me know what you take from it in the comments — I’d love to hear about your favourite lessons or any changes you notice.